I think there is a world of difference between striking purported drug runners in the Caribbean and seizing a tanker that has been under sanctions for years. The free world is struggling with the shadow fleet across the globe; it is shipping oil that profits adversaries and despots, it benefits China with cheap oil, it causes millions in damage in European waters from intentional anchor dragging over critical underwater infrastructure, and it threatens the environment from lack of maintenance and insurance.
While I feel that we need clarity on the purpose of the mission in the Caribbean, I’m not engaging in any pearl clutching on a Coast Guard conducted interdiction (this is their law enforcement mission) based on a sanctions-based warrant.
